The US has struck another vessel off the coast of Venezuela on Tuesday, killing six people, President Donald Trump has said.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump stated the vessel belonged to narcoterrorists involved in drug trafficking. This incident marks the fifth strike by the Trump administration in response to boats accused of narcotics activities since September. While the total number of reported deaths has reached 27, details about the identities of the vessels or individuals involved remain unconfirmed by the US.
Legal experts have criticized the actions, arguing they breach international law, and neighboring nations, including Colombia and Venezuela, have expressed their condemnation.
In his remarks, Trump claimed intelligence indicated that the vessel was linked to illicit narcoterrorist networks and was traversing a recognized smuggling route. Accompanying his statement, he shared surveillance footage of the strike, showing a missile hitting the small boat.
Trump did not disclose the nationality of those onboard or the specific drug trafficking organization implicated. Notably, he mentioned that no US military personnel were harmed in the operation.
The strike follows a report indicating that the US views its conflict with drug cartels as a non-international armed conflict. The US has also sent multiple warships to the Caribbean to bolster these efforts.
The administration's position is that these strikes constitute self-defense; however, many legal analysts question their legitimacy. Framing the situation as an armed conflict could enable the administration to exercise more extreme military powers, including operations against targeted individuals independent of direct threats.
Although drug trafficking undeniably occurs in Venezuela, the country is not regarded as a major trafficking hub within the region, leading some to suggest that these military actions are politically motivated efforts to exert pressure on President Nicolás Maduro.
The US has announced a $50 million reward for information leading to Maduro's arrest on drug trafficking charges, further intensifying tensions. Venezuela's government has reacted strongly to the strikes, with President Maduro denying allegations of drug trafficking involvement.
